Use 1 A strong prop is this unto our faith, 1and a good motive to make usa perfectly trust unto the power of God without wavering or doubting, notwithstanding our own weakness, or our adversaries power: thoughb there be no strength in us, yet is there power in God: though we be⟨p. 14⟩ on every side environed with strong and fierce enemies, our flesh and the violent lusts thereof, as headstrong rebels and traitors within us; the furious world, with the potent and raging persecutors thereof, on one side; that fierce Lion and cruel Dragon the Devil, with all his hellish host, on the other side; yea all these banding their forces together continually in arms against us, yet is there in God a power of might, in comparison whereof all the power of all our adversaries is but weakness. When we know not what to do, then may we, then must we with faithful Jehoshaphat turn our eyes to God,4 and to the power of his might. When we see potent enemies against us, and no outward means to defend us against them, we are ready to cry,a Alas how shall we do? and with theb Israelites to doubt of the power of God, and say, Can God help in such straits? can he support such weaklings as we are? can he subdue such and such enemies as assault us? Against such doubts we are to meditate of this mighty power of God. Gods power being a power of might, he needeth nothing to help him. The weaker we are, the more is his power manifested: for it isc made perfect in weakness: neither can Gods power be weakened or hindered by any adverse power.d Many and mighty enemies are to him a few and weak ones:9 so that the more mighty his enemies be,e the more honour redoundeth to him in subduing them. Wherefore for strengthening our faith, that we may be strong in the Lord, pray we thatf God would open our eyes, that we mayg see what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe: so shall we neither fear because of our enemies power, nor faint because of our own weakness, buth stand still and behold the salvation of God.
Vse 1 A strong prop is this vnto our faith, 1and a good motiue to make vsa perfectly trust vnto the power of God without wauering or doubting, notwithstanding our owne weaknes, or our aduersaries power: thoughb there bee no strength in vs, yet is there power in God: though wee bee⟨p. 14⟩ on euery side enuironed with strong and fierce enemies, our flesh and the violent lusts thereof, as headstrong rebels and traytors within vs; the furious world, with the potent and raging persecutors thereof, on one side; that fierce Lion and cruell Dragon the Diuell, with all his hellish hoast, on the otherside; yea all these banding their forces together continually in armes against vs, yet is there in God a power of might, in comparison whereof all the power of all our aduersaries is but weaknesse. When we know not what to doe, then may wee, then must wee with faithfull Iehosaphat turne our eyes to God,4 and to the power of his might. When we see potent enemies against vs, and no outward meanes to defend vs against them, we are ready to crie,a Alas how shall we do? and with theb Israelites to doubt of the power of God, and say, Can God helpe in such straits? can hee support such weaklings as we are? can he subdue such and such enemies as assault vs? Against such doubts we are to meditate of this mightie power of God. Gods power being a power of might, he needeth nothing to helpe him. The weaker we are, the more is his power manifested: for it isc made perfect in weakenesse: neither can Gods power be weakned or hindred by any aduerse power.d Many and mighty enemies are to him a few and weake ones:9 so that the more mightie his enemies be,e the more honor redoundeth to him in subduing them. Wherefore for strengthning our faith, that we may be strong in the Lord, pray wee that
- 1Gods mighty power a prop to faith.
- a1 Pet. 1. 13.
- b2 Chr. 20. 12.
- 42 Chron. 20. 12.
- a2. King 6. 15.
- bPsal. 78. 19, 20.
- c2 Cor. 12. 9.
- d1 Sam. 14. 6.
- 92 Chr. 34. 11.
- eJudges 7. 2, &c.Iudges 7. 2, &c.
- f2 King 6. 17.
- gChap. 1. v. 19.
- hExod. 14. 13.
